**Chapter 55: Why Don’t You Just Rob Me?**

Fortunately, He Song had succeeded in carving the array patterns for the Spirit Gathering Array quickly. Otherwise, even these thirty-five spirit stones might not have remained.

"Fellow Daoist Pinger, have a cup of tea first."

Seeing that Pinger had finished introducing all the jade slips, He Song casually handed her a cup of tea. However, his mind was already racing, trying to decide which spells to choose.

After some thought, He Song quickly realized that he didn't have much of a choice.

The prices of these spells had taken him by surprise.

Originally, He Song had assumed that Qi Refining-level spells wouldn't be too expensive, perhaps around ten spirit stones each.

Even special Qi Refining-level spells should only be slightly more expensive, not outrageously so.

But to his shock, the prices Pinger quoted kept climbing, and by the end, a single sword art technique cost two hundred spirit stones.

This... why don't you just rob me?

With a hint of confusion in his eyes, He Song turned his gaze toward Pinger.

Beside him, Pinger noticed He Song's puzzled look and was momentarily taken aback, but she quickly understood what he was thinking.

"Fellow Daoist, basic spells cost ten spirit stones each, mid-grade spells cost fifty spirit stones, and high-grade spells cost one hundred spirit stones. Attack-type spells double in price, and for rogue cultivators, all spell prices are doubled again. This has always been the rule in the immortal district."

Her clear voice rang out, and Pinger's gaze toward He Song also carried a trace of confusion.

Did this person really not know the prices of spells?

Had he been so focused on cultivation that he never discussed such matters with fellow cultivators?

What she didn't know was that He Song rarely interacted with others.

The few friends he occasionally contacted had never mentioned the prices of spells.

Those with higher cultivation levels, like Wei Fan, had high incomes and didn't care about such things.

Those at a similar level, like Zhao Lin, a talisman master, found these prices normal and could afford them.

Those with lower cultivation levels couldn't access this kind of information.

And He Song had always assumed that Qi Refining-level spells were all similarly priced, which was why he thought they wouldn't be expensive.

But now...

After hearing Pinger's explanation, He Song gained a deeper understanding of how costly knowledge was in the cultivation world.

It turned out that not only did common knowledge in the cultivation world require spirit stones to learn, but even spells, especially higher-level ones, came with a hefty price tag.

Moreover, the gap between the immortal district's internal members and rogue cultivators was enormous.

Common knowledge in the cultivation world was free for immortal district members, but rogue cultivators had to pay one spirit stone per day to access it.

Basic Qi Refining-level spells cost ten spirit stones for immortal district members but twenty for rogue cultivators.

Mid-grade Qi Refining-level spells cost fifty spirit stones for immortal district members but one hundred for rogue cultivators.

High-grade Qi Refining-level spells cost one hundred spirit stones for immortal district members but two hundred for rogue cultivators.

In short, rogue cultivators had to risk their lives to obtain resources, scheme and deceive to improve their cultivation, and pay the highest prices for knowledge like techniques, spells, and common sense.

Even for basic Qi Refining-level spells, their cost was double that of immortal district members.

Life was hard for rogue cultivators.

He Song had always known this, but it wasn't until he heard the prices from Pinger that he truly understood just how difficult it was for them.

No wonder rogue cultivators were always at the bottom of the cultivation world's hierarchy.

A glimmer of relief flashed in He Song's eyes, and he couldn't help but feel grateful for his predecessor.

If his predecessor hadn't seized the opportunity to partially integrate into the immortal district, he might not have been able to cultivate so peacefully up to this point.

However, now wasn't the time to dwell on such thoughts.

After listening to Pinger's explanation, He Song felt a sense of resignation and could only focus on the two basic spells he could afford.

Fireball Technique: A basic spell that condenses a fireball to attack enemies. It has considerable power and costs ten spirit stones.

Light Body Technique: A basic spell that increases movement speed. It's essential for long journeys and escaping danger. It also costs ten spirit stones.

Recalling Pinger's descriptions of these two basic spells, He Song waved his hand, and twenty spirit stones appeared on the table.

"Fellow Daoist Pinger, I'm a bit short on funds, so I'll have to settle for these two basic spells for now." He Song clasped his hands in greeting, his expression unchanged.

"Very well. Just place the jade slips against your forehead," Pinger replied.

Seeing that He Song was only purchasing two basic spells, Pinger didn't seem to mind. She handed him the two jade slips and collected the twenty spirit stones from the table.

As she collected the spirit stones, a flicker of surprise passed through Pinger's eyes.

If she hadn't misseen, He Song had simply waved his hand, and twenty spirit stones had appeared on the table.

Twenty spirit stones weren't much, but the way he had produced them suggested that he possessed a storage bag.

Only someone with a storage bag could perform such an action.

Her gaze shifted to He Song, who was now placing the jade slips against his forehead, and her curiosity grew.

"Claiming to be short on funds, yet possessing a storage bag... Is Fellow Daoist He truly short on funds, or..."

After some internal deliberation, Pinger's expression returned to normal, but the way she looked at He Song now carried an indescribable nuance.

Soon, He Song had imprinted the contents of the two jade slips into his memory.

With just a thought, he could recall all the intricacies of these two spells.

Fireball Technique: A basic spell that could both attack enemies and use its high temperature to destroy evidence, making it useful for both combat and daily life.

Light Body Technique: A basic spell that increased movement speed, essential for escaping danger or traveling long distances, making it a practical tool for daily use.

With these two spells at his disposal, He Song would no longer be defenseless when facing enemies.

Although the Fireball Technique wasn't particularly powerful, it was still a stronger offensive tool than the Spirit Arrow Technique.

And with the Light Body Technique, if he ever found himself outmatched, he could always flee.

"Payment and goods have been exchanged. I'll take my leave now."

With his business concluded, He Song stood up without hesitation and clasped his hands in farewell to Pinger.

Just as He Song was about to turn and leave, Pinger stopped him with a smile.

"Fellow Daoist, don't rush off. I recently acquired some fine tea. Since you enjoy tea, why not take some with you? Please wait a moment; I'll be right back."

Before He Song could refuse, Pinger had already disappeared.

A short while later, He Song walked out of the Spirit Technique Pavilion holding a small box filled with tea leaves.

Behind him, Pinger stood with a charming smile, watching as He Song's figure receded into the distance.

Having decided to befriend He Song three years ago, Pinger naturally seized the opportunity to strengthen their connection upon their reunion.

(End of Chapter)